The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1887-08-05
A POSSE AMBUSHED,
A sherif's p arty Surrounded in the Bel
County Hills bv Outlaws.

County Hills bv Outlaws,
PINEvILLE, KY. July B.--Some time
during last March Gen. Sowders shot and
killed Lee Turner, on Yellow creek, In
the southern portion of this (BelD coun.
ty, and for this killing Sowders has new.
er been arrested, though he has been In
the county all the while. A short time
after Turner was killed, a man named
Rains, friend To Sowdes was shot and
killed in the same neighborhood; IL is
supposed by some of the Turner faction.
Since that time both parties have been
in arms against each other. Each party
has been watching for the other, and some
times one side would attack and shoot
full of holes II house occupied by a neigh
Dor of the other side but, so far no one
has been hurt in this way. About ten
days since the Turner crowd got on a
drunk at Cumberland Gap, and shot af-
ty to hundred shots into John Colson's
store honse at that place while Colson
was on trip 10 Texas. Colson has had
no connection with the difficulty what.
ever. Warrants have been in the hands
Of the county officers for the arrest of
the parties engaged for some time, but
they nave not been executed,
On last Friday night posse of about
fifteen men, under +. Ingram, the Sher-
i'll, went from this place to arrest the
Turner faction. Before the posse got 70
the place where they expected to find
their men, word was conveyed To those
in the house, and the officers only arriv-
ed in time to see two men run of in their
night cloths. The posse gave chase, but
were unable to Ovcrtake the fugitives in
the woods, as it was raining and very
dark. a portion of the posse were afoot,
and they all joined and went to the house
OF Marsh Turner, who il brOthcr-iE-law
to Gen. SOwdcrs, To pass the remainder
Of the night, and To get their breakfast.
About 10 O'Clock in the morning the
Sheriff and those of the posse who were
riding returned to town. The footmcn
concluded they would stay over at Turn-
cr's until night.
About IL o'clock Jack Turner, who is
said To be- one of the leaders of the Turn
or party, rode up To- The house with his
Winchester and began To abuse Marsh
Turner. Jack Turner is an uncle of
Marsh Turner. lie stayed for some lit
tie while curSing and abusing Marsh and
the posse, and finally got oH his horse
and started off in gallop. He turned
in his saddle us he left and levclcd his
Winchester at the crowd, and attempted
TO fire. but from some cause his gun fail
ed to go of. When he raised his gun
toward the house two or three Of the
posse fired few shots at him. bEt so far
"a is known none of them took effect.
The posse then fearing All attack from
the whole crowd, started to go about a
quarter of mile to one Renfro's house,
which was built of logs, and the house
they were in being only frame house
and easily penetrated by bullets from
the Winchestcrs. They were headed by
George Thomas, the Town Marshal Of
Pineville. Before they had all got out
side Of the yard-some Of them had got
out--they were fired upon from ambush.
The house of Marsh Turner is oncirclcd
by cornficlds, and had been completely
surrounded by hidden men. The posse
were 80 badly dcm0raIi2ed ut the firing
that they scattered in different directions
and fled. At the first shot Geo Thomas
was pierced with thirty.eight Winches,
ter hall The bullet entered near the
left nipple, passed through the heart,
come out under the right shoulder blade,
and ~ he fell he shouted 10 his comrades,
"boys save yourselves.
Marsh Turner and two of the men were
in the yard, and they were fired upon by
two men who had crawlcd up TO and be-
hind the smoks-house. Turner was shot
in eight different places, but managed to
walk nearly half u mile 10 his brother
home before he gave out, carrying his
gun IN his hand till he fell. Turner is
very badly wounded. but his physicians
say he will recover. John Turner, one
Of the posse, was struck on the knee by
n buckshOt. Hc also had his face badly
powder.burnt by n cartridge exploding
prematurely in his gun. Several others
had holes shot in their hats and clothes.
II is not known whether any of the Mt.
lacking party were shot or not, but il is
thought that one or two were slightly
wounded Those 0f the posse who es.
capped wandered back 10 town one or two
Mt time, the last coming in about II
o'clock this morning.
Thomas body was brought TO town by
Me-. James johnson, the jailer, yesterday
evening, and was inferred today. He
leaves young wife, having only been
married about six months.
George Thomas came n this place from
Williamsburg and married daughter Of
w, T. Pastines. His brothers were sent
for and two 0f them have Just arrived.
They are all game men, and 10 Il safe 20
predict that they will not let their broth.
er's death 20 unaycngcd,
The result oi this raid seems 10 cave
paralyzed the officers 10 such an extent
That they don't know wha. steps 10 take